Kerf-cutting machine



May l, 19454.

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KERF-CUTTING MACHINE original Filed laren 19. 1945 5 sheets-sheet 4 .InY Nfur r rap/vir KERF-CUTTING MACHINE Original Filed March 149, 1943 5Sheets-Sheet 5y 11./ flea/ l Tram/fr Patented I May 1, 19145Klaar-CUTTING MACHINE William W. Sloane, Chicago, Ill., assig'nor toGoodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago Ill., a corporation of Illinoisoriginal application March .19, 1943, serial No.

479,717, now Patent No. 2,339,523, dated January 18, 1944.

Divided and this application December 15, 1943, Serial No. 514,321

9 claims. (ci. 2oz-t) AThis invention relates to improvements inkericutting machines and `more particularly relates to an improvedkerl-cutting machine of the room and pillar type which is adapted to cuta. horizontal kerf in the mine Wall.

This application is a division of applicationSerial No. 479,717, filedMarch 19,` 1943, now Patent No. 2,339,523, dated January 18, 1944.

The principal objects of my present invention are to provide a new andimproved fluid control for a nerf-cutting machine of the classdescribed, so arranged that the machine can be controlled from eitherside thereof.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as thefollowing specification proceeds and with referenceto` the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of akerf-cutting machine constructed inaccordance with my invention, with certain parts broken away and certainother parts shown in horizontal section;

vFigure 2 is an enlarged detail fragmentary plan view of a. portion ofthe machine shown in Figure 1, illustrating certain details of thesupport for one of the fluid pressure jacks;

Figure 3 is a partial fragmentary front end Figure lllis4 a sectionalview taken substantially along line II-I I of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along line I2-I2 ofFigure 9;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken substantially along line Il--Il ofFigure 12; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the control valve, illustratingcertain details of the spring connections to the control handle, forholding the control handle in a predetermined position when'the hand isremoved therefrom,

vThe invention illustrated in the drawings is shown as being embodied inav top cutting kericutting machine of the room and pillar type. Saidkerf-cutting machine'includes a, main frame lll, having a horizontallyextendingcutter bar II projecting from the front end thereof. Saidcutter bar has a cutter chain I2 guided for orbital movement thereabout,and as herein shown, is

,'mounted at. the rear end of said main frame Vand view of thekerf-cutting machine embodying my invention, with certain parts shown insubstantially transverse section;

Figure 4'is an enlarged fragmentary view of the front end of themachine, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown insubstantially longitudinal section;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail par- 5- tial transversesectional view of the machine, illustrating certain details of theplanetaries for driving the feed drums of the machine, and certainsofthe control means for said planetaries;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view illustrating certain details of thecontrol means for oneof the planetaries, not shown in Figure 5;

Figure? is a partial fragmentary -transverse sectional view,illustrating the drive to the fiuidpumps which supply fluid underpressure to the machine; y l

.Figure 8 is`a fluid Adiagram illustrating the huid pressure system, forcontrolling operation of the machine;

Figure 9 is alongitudinal sectionalview taken i through one of thecontrol valves for controllingl operation of one of the feed drums `forthe machine, with the valve rotor shown 'in full;

lvFigure l0 is a sectional view' tially along line Il -Il of Figure 9talren substan- A* forms a means for driving said cutter chain aboutsaid cutter bar, through a sprocketill meshing Y ground, on its bottom,during the cutting operation, forms a mounting for said kerf-cuttingmachine on the ground. The kerf-cutting machine is mounted on said basefor vertical adjustment and for tilting. movement with respect theretoby e means of three fluid pressure jacks I7, I1, two

- shaft Il and sprocket- I4, for driving the cutter chain I2 about thecutter bar II, includes an 1 of vwhich are mounted at opposite sides ofthe forward end of said base and the third of which is mounted at thecentral rear end of said base,

to provide a three-point mounting for said kericutting machine on saidbase. The supporting connection between said jacks and said kerf-cuttingmachine will hereinafter be more clearly described as this specificationproceeds. The drive connection from the motor` Il to the intermediateshaft Il extending longitudinally of the main frame I0 and Journaledthereinand driven from said mptor through a gear train indlcatedgenerallyby reference character Il. A bevel pinion 20 on the forward endof said intermediate shaft meshes with and drives a bevel gear 2 Ijournaled onthe vertical shaft Il, for rotatable movement with respectthereto. a sliding clutch 22, herein shown as being a jaw clutch,

is provided to selectively drive said shaft and sprocket from said bevelgear.

The feeding means for the machine includes a Y -drums 23, 23 includes aworm 21 on the intermediate shaft I8, which meshes with a worm gear 29on a transversely extending sleeve 30. Said sleeve 30 is journaled inthe main frame |Ill and forms a drive means for a pair of coaxialplanetary gear reduction devices indicated generally at 3|, 3|, arrangedat opposite sides of said sleeve.. The form of planetary gear shownherein is of the same general type commonly used in kerf-cuttingmachines, so need not be described in detail except to point out thatplanetary pinions 32 and 33 of different pitch diameters and mounted ina cage 34 for rotation together are meshed respectively with internalgears 35 and 36 (see Figure 5).

The internal gear 36 has a hub 31 keyed on a driven shaft 39. The cage34 has a driven portion 40 which encloses the internal gear 36 and whichhas a friction band 4| extending thereabout, for holding said cage fromrotation. A similar friction band 42 surrounds and is adapted to holdthe internal gear 35 from' rotation. The planetary pinions 32, 32 aremeshed with and driven from a sun gear 43 on the sleeve 30, and when thefriction band 4I is loose' so the cage 34 may freely rotate, and thefriction band 42 is tightened to hold the internal gear 35 fromrotation, said planetary pinions will orbitally move about said internalgear, to drive the shaft 39 at a slow frictionally controlled speedthroughv the internal gear 36, keyed on said shaft. When the frictionband 42 is loosened-and the friction band 4| is tightened, the cage 34will be held from rotation and the shaft 39 will be driven at a fric.tionally controlled high speed.

The driven shaft 39 is journaled in a side wall 44 of the main frame IIland has a pinion 45 keyed on its outer end, which meshes with aninternalgear 46, journaled on its hub on a stub shaft 41, mounted in andprojecting outwardly from said main frame. The winding drum 23 is freelymounted on an outwardly projecting hub 49 of said internal gear and hasa pin 50 mounted therein for transverse slidable movement with respectthereto. The inner end of said pinis adapted to engage any one of aplurality of apertures I, 5I formed in the web of said internal gear, toform a selective drive connection from said internal gear to saidwinding drum.

The-friction bands 4| and 42 are engaged with their respective drums, tohold the cage 34 or internal gear 35 from rotation by means of fluid'cylinders 55 and 56, having pistons 59 land 60 `movable therein. Eachset of said cylinders is limited slidable movement with respect thereto.Said "plunger is slidably guided in a lower wall 61 of said frame andhas engagement at its outer end with an abutment member 63, projectingoutwardly from one end of the friction band 42.

The opposite end of said friction band has a lug 53 thereon, which abutsanotched portion of an inner wall 54 of said housing (see Figure 4). Apair of concentric compression springs 64 and 65'encircle said plungerand are interposed between the inside of said piston and a collar 66,mounted on said plunger, to serve as a cushioning means when pressure isapplied on said piston to engage said friction band with its associateddrum. Said springs are provided to provide elasticity in said frictionband, to prevent a sudden gripping of the friction drum by said frictionband as fluid, is supplied to said cylinder 55 and to enable said bandto be uniformly engaged with said friction drum by said uid cylinder andpiston. Said springs also serve to return the pistons 59 and 66 to thehead ends of their respective cylinders, and to empty fluid from saidcylinders wheniluid pressure is re-` lieved therefrom.

In a like manner, a plunger 61 -is mounted in the piston for limitedslidable movement with respect thereto and is slidably guided in thewall 51 of the frame 6|. posite from said piston abuts a lug 69projecting outwardly from the free end of the friction band 4|. A pairof coaxial compression springs 10 and 1| encircle said plunger and serveas a cushioning means, effective when applying-said friction bandthrough the associated piston 60, and 'permitting uniform engagement ofsaid friction band with its associated drum. T'he uid pressure systemfor selectively controlling the admission and release of fluid underpressure to and from said cylinders and pistons will hereinafter be morefully described as this specification proceeds.

Each of the three jacks I1, I1, mounted on the base. I6 and forming avertically adjustable and tilting ysupport for the cutting element,includes Aa fluid cylinder 14 having a piston 15' extensible therefrom.Said cylinders are secured to said main frame in a suitable mannerclearly disclosed in my application Serial No. 479,717, of lwhich thisis a division, and not herein shown or described since it isY no part ofmy present invention.

The lower ends ofthe pistonsv 15, 15 are suitably pivoted to the base I6for universal .pivotal movement with respect thereto in a manner clearlydisclosed in my aforementioned parent application, and no part of mypresent invention so not herein shown or described in detail.

When fluid under pressure is simultaneously admitted to the threecylinders 14, 14 at the same pressure, the cutter bar will be elevatedin a plurality of parallel planes and tilting of said cutter bar may beeffected' by admitting fluid under pressure to any of said cylinderswhile the other cylinders are stationary, or by cutting off the ow ofuidl to any one or more cylinders, or by releasing fluid pressuretherefrom, while the entire cutting element is being elevated or loweredby the other cylinders.

Referring now in particular to the fluid pressure system and the meansfor controlling the admission and release of fluid to the cylinders 55,

55 and 56, 56, for controlling operation of the planetaries 3|, 3|, andto the fluid cylinders 14,

14 for controlling the elevation or tilting of the cutter bar II, threefluid pumps 9| 92 and 93 are provided. Said fluid pumps are shown asbeing The ends of said plunger opthe fluid system when' the motor I3 isrotating in a forward or reverse direction, and lare herein shown asbeing mounted in a casing 34 and as being driven from a common driveshaft 96.

The drive to the pumps 3|, 92 and 93 from the motor I3 includes a pinion36 driven from the gear train I9 and meshing with and driving a gear 31on the pump drive shaft 95 (|ee Figure 7).

Fluid is supplied to the pumps 3|, 3! andes through a suction lineJ |00leading from a fluid storage tank IOI. Said suction line I 00 isconnected to oppositesides of each one of the pumps 3|, 32 and 93, forsupplying fluid thereto, when the motor I3 is rotating in a forward or`reverse direction. Check-valves indicated generally by referencecharacters |04, |04 and |05. |05 are provided within said casing, foreach pump, to control the direction of the flow of fluid to each pump,when the direction of rotation of the pump is reversed.J Said checkvalves serve a well known function andmay be of any well known form andare no part of my present invention, so are not herein shown ordescribed in detail.

Fluid is supplied to the rear uid cylinder 14 by means of the fluid pump9| through a pressure form and is normally in a position to releasefluid to the return. When'said valve is in the position shown in Figure8, which is the position saidl valve will assume when the hand isremoved from its control lever, fluid will flow from the line |06through a passageway II2 to a chamber II3.- Fluid will then flow througha hollow piston II4 of said valve, through a passageway |I5 in saidvvalve manifold, to return to the tank IBI through` a return line H6.When said valve |I0 is in a depressed position, the piston- I|4 willblock thel passageway II2, and

fluid under pressure will flow through a pressure line |I1, anon-reversible check valve IIB, a pressure linel H3, to the rearelevating cylinder 14, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto.

, 3 is like the valve |24y and is provided to permit operation of theplanetaries 3|, 3| from either side of the machine. Said valves |24and'I26 are so arranged as to be yieldably held in a neutral position,when the hand is removed from the associated control handle thereof, andto hold pressure on theI desired planetary operating cylinder when in aneutral position,'so uid under pressure will pass through said valves tosupply pressure to the associated forward -jack jack cylinder 14, duringoperation of the machine, as will hereinafter more clearly appear asthis specification proceeds. A pressure'line |21 leads from the valve|26 to a valve |20 in the valve manifold III. Said valve operates in thesame manneras the valve I I0 and is adapted to by-pass fluid from thepump 02 and valves |24 and |26, or to release fluid from the fluidcylinder 14 in the same manner as the. valve I I0, so will not herein bedescribed in detail. A pressure line |30 leads from the pressure line|21 to the right-hand forward fluid cylinder 14, for supplying 4fluidunder pressure thereto. A non-reversible check valve I3I is provided insaid pressure line to hold pressure in said cylinder and to permit fluidunder pressure to pass therein whenthe valve |23 is depressedto closethe passageway to return. A return line |32 is connected with thepressure line |30, on the pressure side of the check 'valve I3I, topermit the release of fluid pressure from said right-hand cylinder 14through said valve |23. i

The left-hand cylinder 14 is'supplied with fluid under pressure from thepump 93. A relief valve |31 is provided for said pump. A pressure line I331eads from said pump to a valve |34, adjacent the valve |24, andprovided for controlling the operation of the left-hand planetary 3|.Said valve is herein shown as being a rotary valve like the valve |24. Apressure line |35 connect-s sai'd valve |34 with a valve |36 on theopposite side of the machine, to Asupply fluid under -pressure theretoThe valve |36 is like the valve |26 and is provided to permit operationof the left-hand `planetary 3| from either side of the machine. Saidvalves |34 and |36, like the valves |24 and |26, are yieldably held in aneutral position when the hand is removed from the associated controlhandle thereof, to permit fluid under pressure to pass through saidvalves to When it is desired to release pressure from the cylinder 14,the piston I I4 is moved in an upward direction to uncover a passageway|20, leading to the chamber [I3 and directly connected with the pressureline I3. When said valve is in this position, the passageway, II2 willalso be open and fluid will pass through the pressure line A| I0, port|20, through the hollow piston |I4, passageway IIS, and return line |I6,to 'the tank IOI. When the hand is removed from the control handle forsaid valve, the piston |I4 is lmoved to the neutral position shown. Thepassageway |20 will then be closed and pressure will .be held in thefluid cylsupply fluid under pressure to the forward righthand cylinder14. A relief valve |22 is provided in the pump casing and'is' connectedbetween a pressure line '|23 and the suctionline III.- Said pressureline|23 leads to a vvalve |24, which is provided to control operation of theright-hand planetarylh pressure line I2l-connects-said the associatedjack cylinder 14, during operation of the machine. A pressure line |30leads from the `valve I36'to a valve |40 in the manifold III. Said valveis similar to the valves |I0 and*` I 29- and isprovided to control theadmission and release of' fluid under pressure to the left-hand frontcylinder 14 in the same manner the valves IIO and |20. control theadmission andV release of fluid under pressure to the rear andvright-hand front cylinders respectively. A pressure line I4I is'connected to the pressure line |33 and-has a non-reversible check valve|42 '-thereinl Said pressure line leads to the'left-hand forwardcylinder 14. for supplying fluid under pressure thereto.. Areturn line|43 is connected tol said presvalve vm u a 'inve m on nie opposite uaeor sure line and to the valve |40, to permitthe re turn of fluid from'the cylinder 14 to the ltankl I0| through the yalve I40,-when it isdesired to release pressure from said left-hand forward cyl- :iratefluid cylinder 14, and that a separate control valve associated witheach one of said pumps His provided to control the admission' andrelease of fluid Ato said separate cylinders. It may fur= is beingelevated or lowered, to readily position it for cutting.

rotor |15 through the passageways |83, |83 and leave said rotor throughthe exhaust port |86.

Thus in the extreme clockwise position ofthe control handle |81, thecylinder 56 for the lefthand speed planetary will be charged and thecylinder 55 for the low speed planetary will be discharged to cause theleft-hand feed drum to In order that the fluid circuits to the cylindersbe driven at a high positioning speed.

The valve rotor |15 and the passageways |80, |80 therein are soarranged, however, that when the valve handle |81 is turned in anopposite dlrection the port |86 will be blocked by said rotor until saidrotor. has been turned beyond a neutral position, and the port |88 willbe open to exhaust during the same period of movement o'f said rotor.Also, during this period of movement of said rotor, when the port |86has been blocked,

v `fluid will pass directly through said valve from rotor when thepressure line is blocked by said rotor. Said passageways extenddiametrically through said rotor in different angular direc tions. Saidrotor is also provided with a pair of oppositely disposed milled fluidPassageways |80, |80 extending across an outer portion thereof and inline with the balancing passageway |18. `Said milled passageways |80,|80 are connected together by a plurality of ,passageways |8|, |8|extending across the rotor and spaced from said balancing passageway|18, to permit the passage of-luid from one side of the rotor to theother (see Figure 10). Said rotor is likewise provided with a lpair ofoppositely disposed milled passageways |82, |82 in line with thebalancing passageway |19. Passageways 83, |83 connect said milledpassageways together (see Figure 12).

Fluid under pressure enters the valve |34 through the pressure line |33.Said press/ure line is connected with a port |84 extending into thecasing |11 parallel to the rotor |15 and opening into the chamber |16,in alignment with the pas-- sageways |80 and |82 (see Figure 11). Fluidis exhausted from saidvalve through a port |85 communicating with theexhaust line |35 and extending into said casing parallel to said rotorand opening into the chamber |18 vin alignment with the passageways |80and |82.

Fluid under pressure passes through the valv |34 and is conducted to thecylinder 56, for controlling operation of the high speed friction bandfor the 'left-hand planetary 3|, when a control handle |81 for saidvalve is turned to an extreme position in a clockwise direction ,or tothe left, as indicated in Figure 10. When said valve is in thisposition, fluid will enter 'the passageway |80 through the port |84, Itwillk then pass through the'passageways |8|, |8| to the passageway |80,which communicates with a port |86 communicatingwith a pressure line|56. Fluid will thus be conducted through said port |86 and pressureline |56 to the cylinder 56, to charge said cylinder and apply the brakeband 4| for the left-hand planetary in an obviousmanner.

When the valve |34 is in this last vnamed position, fluid will beexhausted from the cylinder 85 'controlling operation of the low speedfriction band 42 for the left-hand planetary 3| through a pressure line|53 .leading `from said cylinder and .communicating with a port |88 inthe valve casing |11. 'Said port opens into the chamber |16 in alignmentwith the passageway |82 in the rotor |15 (see' Figures 12 and 13). Fluidwill thus enter the-passageway |82 and pass through'the the pressureline |33 to the exhaust line |85. When said valve rotor is in a neutralposition the ports |86 and |88 will be blocked, 'to hold pressure on thecylinder 56 and to prevent'uid from entering the cylinder 55. In thisposition fluid will pass from the pressure port |84 through thepassageways |82, 82 and out the exhaust port |85, where it may either bereturned to the tank |0| or be used to operate the left-hand forwardjack |1, in the hereinbefore described manner.

A pair of coil springs |90, |90 are provided to return the valve rotor|15 to any neutral position as soon as the hand is removed from thecontrol handle. Said springs each have an outwardly turned inner end|9|, which inner ends abut opposite sides of a lug |92 projectingdownwardly from said control handle. The opposite ends of said springsabut spaced stops |93, |93 projecting.. d

outwardly from said valve casing (see Figure 14).

When it is desired to supply fluid under pressure to the cylinder 55,for applying the low speed left-hand frictionv band 42, the valve rotor|15 is turned in a clockwise direction to an extreme position to theright. In this position fluid will pass from the pressure passageway|84, the milled passageway |82, through the passageways |83, |83, theopposite passageway |82, and out through the port |88, to and throughthe pressure line |53, to charge said cylinder. In this position .ofsaid valve rotor and control handle, fluid will be exhausted from theleft-hand high speed control cylinder 56 through the milled passageway|80, passagewayl |8I, and exhaust passageway |85. As soon as the hand isremoved from the control handle, however, said valve r0- tor will bereturned to a neutral position, holding l pressure on the low speedcontrol cylinder 55 and permitting fluid topass through the exhaust port|85 to operate the left-hand jack |1, vduring operation of the machineat a slow feeding speed.

When it is desired to release lpressure from the cylinder 55 the controlhandle |81 is turned to the left to an intermediate position between anextreme open position and a neutral position. In a like manner, when itis desired to release pressure-from the cylinder 56, said control handleis turned to the right to an intermediate poleaking by the rotors ofsaid valves to drain backtothetankll.

ner the left-hand `planetary is operated by the valves |34 or |36. Whenthe valve |24 is in a full open position to one side of its neutral p0-.'sition, pressure will pass from the pressure line |23 through apressure line |44 to the right-hand cylinder 55, to charge said valveand apply the right-hand low speed friction band. When the hand isremoved from the control handle for said valve, saidcont'rol handle andvalve will go to a neutral position holding pressure in the pressureline |44 and cylinder 55, but permitting fluid to by-pass through saidvalve through the pressure line |25, the valve |26 andA return to thetank IUI, or to operate the right-hand jack I1, upon closing the valve|29,to prevent the return of uid through said valve.

When the valve |24 is turned to an extreme position in an oppositedirection, fluid under pressure will be admitted through said valve fromthev pressure line |23, through a pressure line |41, to charge theright-hand cylinder 56 and apply the high speed friction band for theright-hand planetary 3|. When the hand is released from the valvecontrol handle, said valve will return to a neutral position to holdpressure in said pressure line |41 and the cylinder 56 and to permitfluid to by-pass from the pressure line |23 through said valve to thereturn. Y

Fluid pressure is released from either of said cylinders 55 or 56 bymoving the valve control handle in one direction or another to aposition between the neutral and full open positions of said valve, ashas before been described with reference to' the valve |34. Fluidleaking past the valves |24 and |26 may at the same time hold pressureon the desired associated high-or low speed planetary operatingcylinder, the high and low speeds of one planetary 3I can be controlledfrom' the valve |24 on one side of the machine or from the valve |26 onthe opposite side of the machine and the eassociated jack |`1 can be0perated during operation of the machine; The valves |34 and |36 beingthe same as, and being connected together in the same manner as thevalves |24 and |26, can thus control operation of the other planetary3|, from either side of the machine. TheV fluid connections between the,

valves on opposite sides of the machine are thus so arranged thateachvalve is supplied with` pressure whenever the hand is removed from-thecontrol handle of the valve on the opposite side ofthe machine, thuspermitting the associated planetary operating cylihder to be charged ordischarged from either side 4of the machine and per- .mitting operationof the jacks |1,- |1 during op.

eration of the machine.

It may be seen from `the foregoing that the valves |24, |26, |34 and |36are so arranged-,that uid under pressure may be supplied to operate theJacks |1, |1 when any one of said valves-is in 75 a neutral position.holding pressure on an assoelated high or low speed friction band, thuspermitting operation of said jacks while the machine is being positionedfor cuttingor is being fed across a working place during the cuttingoperation, and permitting the cutter bar tobe readily accommodated tocut out a band of impurities, where the bottom does not conform thereto.may further be seen that the foregoing arrangement of valves permits thetwo planetaries to be operated together or independently of each otherat either high or low frictionally controlled speeds, and that saidvalves are so arranged as to pre-v vent the engagement of the high andlow'speed friction 4bands ofy said planetaries at the same time. s

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my inventionmay be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof andthe arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to beconstrued as limiting my invention to the specific embodimentillustrated, vexcepting as it may be limited in the appended claims,

I claim as my invention:

l. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operationof a kerf-cutting machine having a projecting chain carrying cutter barand having flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter bar across acoal face with means for operating said flexible feeding means at highand low speeds, a fluid pump, a tank, highand low speed fluid-operatedcontrol means for said feed operating means, two control valves forsaid-:duid

operated control means, each of which are adapted to control operationof said feed operating means at either a high or a low speed, one ofsaid valves being on one side ofthe machine and the other of said valvesIbeing on the opposite side of the machine. a connection from said pumpto one of said valves to supply fluid under pressure thereto, aconnection from the discharge side 'of said one valve to the pressureside vof said other valve, to supply fluid under pressure thereto, saidlvalves being so constructed and arranged that when said valves are in aneutral position, said valves will hold pressure on'either said highorsaid low speed uid operated control means for said feed operating means,and fluid under pressure will pass through one of said valves to theother of said valves and will pass through the other of said valves tosaid tank, and means for returning said valves. to a yneutral positionwhen the hand is removed from the operating handle thereof, to permitoperation of 'said feed operatingmeans by means of eitherof said valvesfrom either side of the machine at either a high or a low speed. l.,

2. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operationof a korf-cutting machine having a projecting chain carrying cutter barand having flexible feeding means for feeding' said cutter bar 'acrossacoal face with means for operating said flexible feeding means at highand low speeds, a fluid pump, a tank, high and low speed fluid operatedcontrolmeans for said feed operating means, two` control valves for saidfluid operated control means,- each of said valves hav ing an operatinghandle adapted to operate .said

valve and control operation of said feed operating means at either ahigh or low speed,jone of said valvesbeing on one side of the machineand the Itv to,- a connection from the discharge side of said one valveto the pressure side of said other valve, to supply fluid under pressureto said other valve through said one valve, said valves being soconstructed and arranged that when said valves are in a neutralposition, said valves will hold pressure on either said high or said lowspeed fluid operated control means for said feed operating means, andfluid under pressure will pass through one of said valves to the otherof said valves and will pass through the other of said valves to saidtank,- and spring means having operative connection with said operatinghandles of said valves,

' ing said cutter bar across a coal face and means for operating saidflexible feeding means at high and low speeds, a fluid storage tank, afluid pump, fluid pressure operating means for controlling operation ofsaid feed operating means at either a high or low speed including ailuid pressure cylinder and piston for controlling operation of saidfeed operating means at a high speed, another fluid pressure cylinderand piston for controlling operation of said feed operating means at alow speed, two control valves for controlling operation of said highand` low speed controlling cylinders and pistons, one of said valvesbeing on one side of .the machine and the other of .said valves being onthe opposite side of the machine, a pressure connection from said pumpto one of said valves, a connection from the exhaust side of said onevalve to the pressure tion of said high and low speed controilmgcylinders and pistons, one of said valves being on one side of themachine and the other of said valves being on the opposite side of themachine,

a pressure connection from said pump to one of said valves, a connectionfrom the exhaust side a common fluid connection between said valves sideof said other valve, for supplying fluid under y will exhaust fluidtherefrom when in another position, and will hold pressure in saidcylinders when in a neutral position, and so uid will pass from onevalve to the other when in a neutral position, so the operation of saidfeed operating means can be controlled from either side of the machine.v

4. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operationof a kerf-cutting machine having a projecting cutter chain carryingcutter bar with flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter baracross a coal face and means for operating said ilexible feeding meansat high and low speeds, afluid storage tank, a fluid pump, fluidpressure operating eans for controlling operation of said feed operatingmeans at either a high or low speed including a. fluid pressure cylinderand piston for controlling operation of said feed operating means at ahigh speed, anotherh fluid pressure cylinder and piston for controllingoperation of said feed operating means at a low speed, two controlvalves for controlling operaand said low speed controlling cylinder, soarranged that either of said valves may supply fluid under pressure toeither of said cylinders, or may hold pressure therein, said valves eachbeing so constructed and arranged that either of said valves will supplyfluid under pressure to one of said cylinders when in one position andwill exhaust fluid therefrom when in another position, andwill holdpressure in the desired cylinder when in a neutral position, and meansfor returning said valves to a neutral position the instant the hand isremoved from the operating handle thereof, so fluid under pressure willpass from one valve to the other, to permit operation of said feedoperating means from either side of the machine.

5. Ina uid control system particularly adapted to control operation of akerf-cutting machinehaving a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter barwith exible feeding -means for feeding said cutter bar-across-a coalface and means for operating said flexible feeding means at high and lowspeeds, a fluid storage tank, a fluid pump, fluid pressure operatingmeans for controlling operation of said feed operating means at either ahigh or low speed including a fluid pressure cylinder and piston forcontrolling operation of said feed operating means at a high-speed,another fluid pressure cylinder and piston for controlling operation ofsaid feed operating means at a low speed, two control valves forcontrolling operation of said cylinders and pistons, one of said valvesbeing on one side of the machine and the other of said valves being onthe opposite side of the machine and each of said valves having anoperating handle for controlling operation thereof, a pressureconnection from said pump to one of said valves, a connection from theexhaust side of said valve to the pressure side of said other valve, forsupplying fluid under pressure to said other valve through said firstmentioned valve, a return connection from said other valve to said tank,a common fluid connection between said valves and said high speedcontrolling cylinder, a common fluid connection between said valves andsaid low speed controlling cylinder, so arranged that either of saidvalves may supply fluid under pressure. to either of said cylinders, ormay hold pressure therein, said valves each being so constructed andarranged that either of position when the hand is removed from the conltrol handle thereof, so .fluid under pressure will pass from one valvetothe other, to permit operation of said feed operating means from eitherside of the machine.

6. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operationof a kerl-cutting machine having a projecting cutter chain carryingcutter bar with flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter -baracross a coal face, a plural speed planetary geared reduction device foroperating said flexible feeding means, said planetary geared reductiondevice having a high speed friction band and a low speed friction band,for controlling operation thereof, to cause said planetary .to drivesaid feed operating means at either a high or' a low speed, a fluidpressure cylinder and piston for applying said high speed friction band,a fluid pressure cylinder and piston for applying said low speedfriction band, a fluid'storage other valve through said first valve, areturn connection from said other valve to said tank, a common fluidconnection from said valves to said high speed. controlling cylinder, acommon fluid connection from said valves to said low speed controllingcylinder, said valves being so constructed and arranged that either ofsaid valves may supply fluid under pressure to one of said cylinderswhen moved in one direction into one position and will exhaust `fluidtherefrom when moved in another direction into another position, andwill hold pressure in the desired cylinder when moved to a neutralposition, and means perable to return said valves to a neutral positionthe instant the lhand is removed from the operating handle thereof, sofluid under pressure will pass from one valve to the other, to permitoperation of said planetaries. from either side of the machine. i

'7. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control operationof a kerf-cutting machine having a projecting cutter chain carryingcutter bar with flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter baracross a coal face, a plural speed planetary geared reduction device foroperatingsaid flexible feeding means, said planetary geared reductiondevice having a high speed'frictionl band and a low speed friction band,for controlling operation thereof, to cause said planetary to drive saidfeed operating means at either a high or a low speed, a fluid pressurecylinder and piston for applying said high speed friction band, a fluidpressure cylinder and piston for applying said low speed friction band,a fluid storage tank, a-pump, two control valves for conone of saidcylinders when turned in one direction and will exhaust fluid therefromwhen turned in another direction, and will hold pressure inthe desiredcylinder when turned toria i neutral position, and spring 'meansengageable with said operating handles and operable to pivot saidoperating handles to return said valves to a neutral position when thehand is removed therefrom, so fluid under pressure will pass from onevalve to the other, to permit operation of said planetaries from eitherside of the machine.

8. Ina fluid control system particularly adapt-V ed to control operationof a kerf-cutting machine having a projectingcutter chain carryingcutter` bar with flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter baracross a coal face, a plural speed planetary geared reduction device foroperating said flexible feeding means, said planetary geared reductiondevice having a high speed friction band and a low speed friction band,for controllingoperation thereof, to cause said planetary to drive saidfeed operating means at either a high or a low speed, a fluid pressurecylinder and piston for applying said high speed friction band, afluidppresvsure cylinder and piston for applying said low speed frictionband, a fluid storage tank,

a pump, two control valves for controlling operation of said cylindersand pistons, said valves trolling operation of said cylinders andpistons,

said valves being on opposite' sides of the machine, and each ofsaidvalves being adapted to selectively supply fluid to both of saidcylinders, a fluid connection from said pump to one of y said valves, afluid connection from said one valve to said other valve. for supplyinguid.

under pressure to said other valve through said flrst valve, a returnconnection from said other valve to said tank, a common fluid connectionfrom said valves to said high speed controlling cylinder, a common fluidconnection from said ing so constructed and arranged that either ofVsaid valves may supply fluid under pressureto being on opposite sides ofthe machine, and each of said valves being adapted to selectively supplyfluid to both of said cylinders,ra fluid connectionV from said pump toone of said valves, a fluid connection from said one valve to said othervalve, for supplying fluid under pressure thereto, a return connectionfrom said other valve to said tank, a common fluid connection from saidvalves to said high speed controlling cylinder, a common uid connectionfrom said valves i to said low speed controlling cylinder, so arrangedthat either' of said valves may supply so arranged that either of saidvalves will supply fluid under pressure to one of said cylinders whenturned to one position in one direction and will exhaust fluid therefromwhen turned to onev position `in an opposite direction, and will supplyfluid under pressure to the other of said cylinders when turned to oneposition in one direction and will exhaust fluid from said othercylinder when turned to another position in an opposite direction, andboth of said valves will hold pressure in the charged cylinder when in anent/ral position, and said valves being arranged so that fluid willpass from one valve through the other to said tank, when in a neutralposition, so the operation of said friction bands can be controlled fromeither side of the machine.

9. In a fluid control system particularly adapted to control' operationof a kerf-cutting machine having a projecting cutter chain carryingcutter bar with'flexible feeding means for feeding said cutter baracross a coal face, a plural speed planetary geared reduction device foroperating said flexible feeding means, said planetary geared reductiondevice having a high speed friction band and a low speed friction band,for controlling operation thereof, to cause said planetary to drive saidfeed operating means at either a high or a low speed, a' fluid pressurecylinder and piston for applying said high speed friction band, a fluidpressure cylinder and piston for applying said low speed friction band,a fluid storage tank, a pump, two control valves for controllingoperation of said cylinders and pistons,

said valves being on opposite sides oi' the machine, and each of saidvalves being adapted to selectively supply fluid to both of saidcylinders, a iluid -connection from said pump to one of said valves, afluid connection from said one valve to said other valve, for supplyingfluid under pressure thereto, a return connection from said other valveto said tank, a common fluid connection from said valves to said highspeed controlling cylinder, a common uid connection from said valves tosaid low speed controlling cylinder, so arranged that either of saidvalves may supply fluid under pressure to either of said cylinders, ormay hold pressure therein, said valves being so arranged that either ofsaid valves will supply fluid under pressure to one'ot said cylinderswhen turned to one positionin one direction and will v exhaust iiuidtherefrom when turned to one position in an opposite direction, and willsupply fluid under pressure to the other of said cylinders when turnedto one position in one direction and will exhaust fluid from saidcylinder when turned to another position in an opposite direction andboth of said valves will hold pressure in the charged cylinder when in aneutral position, and so fluid will pass from onevalve through the otherto said tank, when in a neutral position, and means for returning saidvalves to a neutral position when the hand is removed from the controlhandle thereof, so iiuid under pressure will pass from one valve to theother, to permit operation of said planetaries from either side of themachine.

WILLIAM W. SLOANE.

